In the Transfer document of each property, there is a Covenant prohibiting the alteration of the external plan or elevation of a property without the prior written consent of RPMC Ltd. This means, in practice, that if owners wish to extend or alter their property that, in addition to obtaining consent from the relevant planning authority (Cheltenham Borough Council) they also need the consent of RPMC Ltd. Property owners should to apply to CBC in the first instance and then, depending on the ruling of CBC, to RPMC Ltd.
Planning consent, from CBC and RPMC Ltd, is also required for the pruning and felling of trees. It is also required for the erection of a satellite dish of more than 90cm diameter; more than one dish; or the siting of any dish over 45cm diameter on a chimney stack or roof.
The purpose of these planning requirements is to preserve the general ambience and attractiveness of the estate. Whether or not planning consent is required, it is in the interests of courtesy and good neighbourliness that any owner wishing to extend or alter their property, or to erect a conservatory, shed, playhouse or other structure on their property, should inform their neighbours of their intentions.
Any extension to a Redgrove Park property that encroaches beyond the original ‘envelope’ or ground plan requires planning consent not only by CBC, but also the Directors of the Company. This requirement includes conservatories. Normally consent will be in the form of a letter from Ash & Co, the Estate managers. The absence of such a letter may cause, and has caused, problems when owners have sought to sell their properties. Owners of Redgrove Park properties who have had such extensions built are therefore advised strongly to ensure that they have such documents to hand. In case of difficulty, please contact Ash & Co.